Numico Faces Skeptics on New Products

Plan for Limited Testing
Of Alzheimer's Drink
Could Hamper Its Appeal

By

Stefan Kloet

Updated Dec. 15, 2006 12:01 a.m. ET

AMSTERDAM -- Numico NV hopes to fatten its profit by launching a range of products it says will help fight chronic ailments such as Alzheimer's and AIDS. Analysts -- and a doctor conducting research on one of the products -- are skeptical Numico can persuade doctors to recommend the products because it has no plans to get clear evidence of their effectiveness.

The Dutch food company said that in 2008 it will introduce a drink it said can combat the effects of Alzheimer's disease. The product is the first in a new Numico...